Suffolk County is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the state of New York. It also boasts popular tourist spots like the Hamptons, Fire Island, and Montauk. Not only are the beaches in Suffolk County beautiful, but here you will find great restaurants to dine in, old mansions to explore, and wonderful museums to visit.
Located in the eastern part of Long Island, Suffolk County is the easternmost county in the state of New York. According to the 2020 National census, the county is the fourth most populous county in New York state after Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Suffolk County’s seat is Riverhead. Suffolk County and Nassau County together make up Long Island – home to the famous Hamptons, vineyards, and much more.
It does not matter if you live in Suffolk County or if you are just visiting the area, there’s always something fun to do when you’re in Suffolk! If you’re looking to see what this county has to offer, then read on. I’ve compiled a list of 10 great things to do when you’re in Suffolk County!
10 Great Things To Do in Suffolk County, New York:
1. Go For A Stroll On Long Beach Boardwalk
License: “Long Beach Boardwalk” by Frank Fujimoto on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Starting your vacation with a relaxing walk sounds like a lot of fun! When you’re in Suffolk County, you wouldn’t want to miss taking a refreshing stroll or a bike ride on the Long Beach boardwalk. The boardwalk stretches for 2.2 miles and it was rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy.
Long Beach Boardwalk is also a great place to spend the day in. There are a lot of food trucks around so you can grab a bit if the stroll made you hungry. Hot day? No problem! Long Beach Boardwalk has a lot of ice cream or yogurt stores to choose from! While you’re there, you can even sign up for a surfing class. During summer, they even have free concerts!
2. Visit The Summer White House
License: “Sagamore Hill – Summer White House – Theodore Roosevelt” by Onasill ~ Bill Badzo on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
If you would like to see where Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, used to live, then you would not want to miss out on taking a tour around the Summer White House. This mansion is located on the North Shore and is open to visitors all year round.
You can also take a guided tour of the 23-room Victorian mansion and visit the Audubon Center. And while you’re in the Summer White House, you might want to take a walk on the trail that leads to Long Island Sound. This trail is the very same trail that the former president used to take when he’s taking his dogs out for a walk.
3. Check Out Beautiful Art At Nassau County Museum Of Art
License: “Nassau County Museum of Art, Long Island, NY” by Bluesguy from NY on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Love art? You would not want to miss visiting the Nassau County Museum of Art. This is a great place to walk around in if you want a more laid-back day and do not want to do a lot of activities. Here, you can just walk around the Nassau County Museum of Art and appreciate the artwork.
The museum was an old mansion originally owned by Henry Clay Frick. It was turned into the Nassau County Museum of Art which has permanent rotating exhibits of artwork from famous artists like Auguste Rodin and Pierre Bonnard. If you’re a fan of sculptures, you can also visit their outdoor sculpture garden which boasts works by Calder, Botero, and more.
Aside from those, the Nassau County Museum of Art also has 145 acres of area that you can stroll upon and they even have fun activities for children!
4. Explore The Montauk Point Lighthouse
License: “Montauk Point Lighthouse” by jo(e) on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
If a peaceful stroll is what you’re looking for, then visiting the Montauk Point Lighthouse should be on your list. The lighthouse is located on the easternmost point of Long Island and was commissioned by George Washington. It was completed in 1797. During the second world war, the lighthouse served as a fire control station for the armed forces.
Today, the Montauk Point Lighthouse has become a historic attraction for people who are visiting Suffolk County. Aside from its marvelous view, there are also a lot of cute seals who gather on the shore of the lighthouse. You can even climb to the top of the lighthouse!
5. Wine And Dine At Del Vino Vineyard
This beautiful family-owned and operated vineyard is something you don’t want to miss when you’re in Suffolk County. While you’re there, you can taste their delicious wine or one of the four craft beers they offer. Aside from their fine wine selection, you can also enjoy their tapas menu pairs! Del Vino Vineyard also has great live music which is perfect for a date night or even just hanging out with friends. Reservations are required before a visit though, so make sure to give them a call beforehand!
6. Ride Spacecrafts At The Cradle Of Aviation Museum
Perfect for those who love air and space! The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Suffolk County is another museum that would be great to stop by. The museum houses a permanent collection of the history of aviation. Aside from that, they also have displays of aircraft and spacecraft like lunar landing modules which you can climb into! Additionally, they have an IMAX theatre where you can watch virtual experiences and movies about the air and space.
7.Meet the Locals at Sands Point Preserve
License: “Sands Point Preserve Gould Castle” by Michael Gray on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Now, this is something worth visiting! Sands Point Preserve is a 216-acre park that houses three castles and wooded hiking trails. The place is also dog-friendly so you can bring your furry friend along and have a picnic near the waters!
Sands Point Preserve features three famous estates – Hempstead House, Castle Gould, and Falaise. You can take a look around Hempstead House which is a 40-room mansion that features a rose garden and a wonderful view of the Long Island Sound. Aside from visiting the houses, you can also join yoga classes in Sands Point Preserve.
8. Escape to Beautiful Fire Island
License: “Twilight along Fire Island National Seashore” by Andrew c mace is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
If you would like to dive into the blue waters of Suffolk County, then Fire Island should be on top of your list! You can rent a beach house and visit different beaches around the area. Fire Island is a narrow island that parallels Long Island on its south shore.
When you’re in the area, you can explore the Sunken Forest and walk the elevated boardwalk. However, remember that Fire Island is a car-free island and can only be accessed by ferry or boat from Sayville, Patchogue, and Bay Shore.
9. Get Your Feet Wet At Jone Beach State Park
If you’re a beach body and would like to see all the beaches around Suffolk County, you should visit Jone Beach State Park, too! It boasts of a 6.5-mile beach with white sand and great waves. During summer, the beach is dubbed as the best beach to go to. You can take a walk on the boardwalk or even bike. If you’d rather lay on the beach, you can do so!
The place gets crowded during the summer months though, so it is advised to go in the area early so you can find a good spot!
10. See Cute Fish and Rescued Marine Animals At Long Island Aquarium
Last but definitely not least on our list of great places to visit in Suffolk County is the Long Island Aquarium! This is one for the family. This Atlantis-themed aquarium house is one of the biggest living coral displays on the west side of the world! They have a huge display of sea and land animals.
The outdoor area of the aquarium displays otters, penguins, sea lions, gators, and many more! Children will love visiting the Long Island Aquarium.
There are so many places to visit in Suffolk County so it’s hard to keep the list short. This list is just some of the best places to visit when you’re in Suffolk County. If you’re visiting the area, be sure to drop by all these places. It will be worth all your time!
